mobilizing neck support device

Abstract

The invention discloses a cervical collar which provides support, safety and stability to the neck of the wearer, and is arranged to prevent cervical flexion, extension and bilateral lateral flexion while allowing cervical rotation. The cervical collar comprises two parts; one back piece including a shoulder and back support piece attached to an adjustable neck piece and a chin support piece. The chin support piece can be lowered, raised and/or removed by the wearer of the collar in order to allow opening of the mouth sufficiently for eating or performing personal hygiene without unwanted extension of the neck.

1 . A cervical collar providing support, safety and stability to the neck of a wearer, arranged to prevent cervical flexion, extension and bilateral lateral flexion while allowing cervical rotation, said cervical collar comprising two parts;
 a back piece including a shoulder and back support piece attached to an adjustable neck piece, and a chin support piece; said adjustable neck piece further comprising a lower neck support piece and an upper neck support piece, said lower neck support piece being attached to the shoulder and back support piece in an adjustable manner, and being connected to an upper neck support piece by a rotational means, said rotational means allowing circular horizontal rotation between the neck support piece in relation to the lower neck support piece;   
       said chin support piece is connected to said adjustable neck piece by a release and locking means enabling the chin support piece to be tilted, lowered, raised and/or removed by the wearer in order to allow opening of the mouth sufficiently for eating or performing personal oral hygiene without unwanted extension of the neck, wherein 
       the attachment between the shoulder and back support and the lower neck support piece is provided by supportive connecting means which preferably are adjustable in the lengthwise direction and angular position with regards to the shoulder and back support in relation to the rotational means. 
     
     
         2 . A cervical collar according to  claim 1 , wherein the supportive connecting means are rigging screws provided with ball-and-socket joints at either ends, said balls being fitted into gripping sockets provided on the shoulder and back support and the lower part of the rotational means. 
     
     
         3 . A cervical collar according to  claim 1 , wherein circular horizontal rotation of the lower neck support piece in relation to the neck support piece is permitted by a rotational means comprising two semi-circular rings which are connected to each other in a way which substantially reduces friction. 
     
     
         4 . A cervical collar according to  claim 3 , wherein the lower semi-circular ring is connected to an upper semi-circular ring by means of an I-beam profile functioning as a sliding bearing. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A cervical collar according to  claim 1 , wherein release and locking means are present on each side of the collar, said means comprising actuators that when engaged by the user of the collar enables the chin support piece to be lowered, raised and/or removed. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A cervical collar according to  claim 1 , wherein the release and locking means further comprises an adjustment means enabling the chin support piece to be tilted in relation to the neck support piece. 
     
     
         9 . A cervical collar according to  claim 8 , wherein the adjustment means is an angular adjustment means enabling an incremental angular adjustment of the chin support piece of less than 5°, more preferably of less than 3° and most preferably of less than 2°. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A cervical collar according to  claim 1 , wherein the circular horizontal rotation between the lower neck support piece in relation to the neck support piece is restricted with respect to each other by adjustable regulating means. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A cervical collar according to  claim 1 , wherein the circular horizontal rotation of the lower neck support piece in relation to the neck support piece is adjustable from a few degrees to the maximum. 
     
     
         14 . A cervical collar according to  claim 1 , wherein the circular horizontal rotation of the lower neck support piece in relation to the neck support piece with respect to each other is completely prevented. 
     
     
         15 . A cervical collar according to  claim 1 , wherein the cervical collar it further comprises an electronic monitoring device arranged to register rotational movements of the cervical collar. 
     
     
         16 . A cervical collar according to  claim 15 , wherein the electronic monitoring device comprises means for registering, monitoring and storing information about rotational movements performed by the wearer of the cervical collar. 
     
     
         17 . A cervical collar according to  claim 16 , wherein the means for registering, monitoring and storing, information are micro circuit breakers or magnetic reed switches, a magnet and a micro computer. 
     
     
         18 . A cervical collar according to  claim 15 , wherein the stored information in the electronic monitoring device can be read out by a computer. 
     
     
         19 . A cervical collar according to  claim 15 , wherein the stored information in the electronic monitoring device can be read out to the user's cell phone and/or personal digital assistant (PDA). 
     
     
         20 . A cervical collar according to  claim 15 , wherein the electronic monitoring device has a built in alarm. 
     
     
         21 . A cervical collar according to  claim 15 , wherein intervals between alarms can be programmed in the electronic monitoring device. 
     
     
         22 . A method for treating neck injuries, including whiplash injuries, wherein
 a cervical collar according to  claim 1  is applied around a damaged neck of a patient; and   the length of the supportive connection means is adjusted to the appropriate length and angle to assure a proper fit for the centre of rotation and rotational plane of the patient's neck; and   in early stages of an healing process or during instability, circular horizontal rotation between the lower neck support piece in relation to the neck support piece is restricted with respect to each other by adjustable regulating means; and   when prescribed or needed the patient performs rotation exercises by rotating the head and neck to the left and/or right to an allowed degree of rotation around the rotation centre and rotation plane.   
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein the performance of rotation exercises is monitored by means of an electronic monitoring device. 
     
     
         24 . A cervical collar according to  claim 1 , wherein the attachment between the shoulder and back support and the lower neck support piece is provided by at least three supportive connecting means.